Think Outside the Tin Box
Free Public Transport for the UK? A Look at Estonia
Mar
2 minute read:
Tallinn in Estonia was the first city to offer free public transport to all residents and is now rolling the scheme out across the country. Could the same thing ever happen here in the UK?
In 2013, Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, introduced free public transport across the city, in response to a public referendum on the subject in which 75% voted in favour.
How Does it Work?
Anyone wanting to take part in the scheme had to register as a resident of the city, and pay €2 for a ‘green card’. Other people – visitors from elsewhere in the country and tourists – still had to pay. The scheme covered not just buses, but also trams, trains and trolley buses.
The trial in Tallinn was deemed a success. Despite the loss of the revenue from ticket sales of about €14 million a year, the city was able to improve its rolling-stock, order new trams and buses and improve tram lines. Now the government has rolled out the scheme across the whole country, with 11 out of the country’s 15 counties opting in.
What is the Impact?
Following in Estonia’s Footsteps
Free Public Transport in the UK?
In the UK, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has already expressed a wish to give free bus travel to the under-25s.
Would you be in favour?
Sources:
www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/06/estonia-is-making-public-transport-free/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/06/jeremy-corbyn-buses-labour
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Tags:
#buses #publictransport #estonia #freepublictransport #sustainabletravel #airquality #co2
